Reader's Story - Oakford Equestrian Centre

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Oakford Equestrian Center - Jump Cross Course

Oakford Equestrian
Centre was first set up by Michael in 2000.

Approximately three
years ago when Michael was visiting good friend and WA Olympian, Clayton Fredericks, in Florida he spent some
time at Clayton’s cross-country training facility and was impressed by the
variety and range of jumps.

Michael thought there
was a real need for a cross country training facility for eventers south
of the river and so was very keen to set up a facility similar to Claytons for
southerners.

Clayton, who is a
qualified international course designer, had designed a number of the jumps and
agreed to allow Michael to replicate those in Australia and offered to send his
fence builder out to Australia to assist Michael with getting some of the cross
country jumps built.

Clayton introduced
Michael to his jump constructor, Mo von Roeder, from Canada and the following
summer Mo came to Australia and spent six weeks in Perth building cross
country jumps for Oakford Equestrian.

The first year of the
Oakford Cross Country course was a huge success with many riders enjoying the
variety of jumps and the lovely going.

Michael then decided
to get Mo out for another summer and another batch of cross country jumps were
created to further develop the course.

Michael has focused
primarily on constructing the narrow, more technical jumps, and they are in a
variety of heights to assist in the training of young horses.

Such is the quality of
the Oakford cross-country training facilities that it has become the "go
to" venue for a number of experienced coaches including Stuart Tinney,
Clayton Fredericks, Harry Meade, Megan Jones and Lucinda Green.

Interestingly, Lucinda
very kindly sent an unsolicited email to Oakford Equestrian commenting that the
course had the greatest variety of jumps of any venue she had seen in Australia, which was a lovely compliment from such an experienced international equestrian.

The Oakford Equestrian
team have have also created the very popular Oakford Jump Cross series.

This Oakford Jump
Cross is loosely based on The Hickson family's Eventing in the Park and has
become the "must do" event early in the season and is
particularly focused on encouraging less experienced horses and riders, and allowing everyone to have a go.

The Oakford Equestrian
team have some exciting plans for the Oakford cross-country course including a
new Lake-style Waterjump, steps and a new coffin complex.

Milne are proud to support local equestrian sports. Keep an eye out for
the Milne Feeds Water Jump at the Oakford Cross Country Course.